First chance at writing in a loooong time. Just an idea I had for one of my favorite shows that takes place alongside the events of the series. What if four new friends can turn the tide and be in the right place at the right time? The cover image art was done by AzaryaS, a very talented artist on DeviantArt who has done other pieces for this story. If you like RWBY artwork I would definitely recommend checking her other work out.

Four new student's join Beacon Academy unaware of the darkness behind the shadows or the tragedies yet to come. Can these newcomers lend their strength to our heroes and lessen the sorrows they face?

Esmerelda stepped off the airship, her long auburn hair whipping in the wind as she beheld the gorgeous sight before her. The trip had been faster than expected; leaving her hardly any time to talk with the other new students. She would have called it boring if not for the young man who got airsick at the end. Esmerelda had been worried about studying at the famed Huntsman Academy and the vision before her only heightened her anxiety.

In the distance stood the towers of Beacon Academy reaching high into the sky dwarfing the numerous greenery and trees scattered about the grounds. She had smelled the water before disembarking but had no idea the ponds and canals ran through the entire area. Unable to contain the fringes of a smile, she took her time taking in the sights, everywhere she looked gave off a sense of majesty and wonder.

"Plenty of good study spots," she muttered to herself as she often did when she was excited. "I wonder if we are allowed to swim…"

She had been so entranced she nearly forgot that a few dozen others were disembarking right behind her; an especially large baggage cart full of suitcases bumped the weapon at her hip.

"Sorry," she stepped aside with an apologetic smile. She gripped the hilt of her curved blade tightly as she bowed.

"Just be more careful," the white-haired girl snapped as she pushed the cart past her, not even offering another word.

Esmerelda looked the girl up and down as she passed, noticing the unique sword at her waist. Her dress was clearly made of high-end material and despite the limited color scheme put her own to shame. Esmerelda wore a streamlined deep blue leather vest and tight black pants to allow easier movement. She'd never grown accustomed to a combat skirt like the one the pale-girl wore.

White hair, pale complexion in a white dress…she needs to expand her color palate...pity about that scar over her eye.

"Now…where was that opening ceremony taking place again?"

Beacon Tower…

Horatio shifted uncomfortably in the elevator, hoping that he was not sweating as much as he feared. He'd been elated upon hearing of his acceptance to Beacon Academy, even making sure to arrive ahead of the rest of the new students, yet now he had already been called to the Headmaster's office. Worst of all it appeared he was the only one who had been.

The blonde woman who provided the summons stood alongside him in the elevator. Horatio wanted to ask what this was about, but her stern demeanor caused him to hesitate at each attempt. The riding crop in her hands certainly did not help matters any. That coupled with the fact he could not recall if her name was Glenda or Glynda…he was notoriously terrible with names.

The elevator reached its destination with a sudden lurch, the metal doors sliding open to reveal the Headmaster's Office with a welcoming ding.

The room was large and full of working clockwork machinations which Horatio felt clashed strongly against the magical wonder he had felt upon entering Beacon. He found no chair in sight and was forced to stand before the imposing table.

Behind the desk sat Headmaster Ozpin, Horatio had seen photos of him in history books of Beacon Academy. He wore the same black suit and green undershirt he had in many of the pictures. His black spectacles were far enough down his nose that his brown eyes were visible offset by white hair, he looked very serious.

"Horatio Soplar," he read aloud from a folder in his hand. "Accepted to Beacon Academy this year, top of your class in hand to hand combat at your previous institution, requested transfer to Beacon to continue studies." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Semblance…unattained?"

Horatio stared blankly before realizing that he was awaiting an answer. "Yes, Headmaster, Professor Sawyer felt that I could find mine early but nothing ever came of it before my transfer. His training was instrumental in reinforcing my aura."

Ozpin stared at him for a moment, his neutral expression completely unchanged.

"I can tell you are very nervous so I will forgive your attempt at deception," he finally replied, standing up and walking around his desk. He carried a walking cane with a unique handle Horatio had never seen before, though it appeared he did not actually need it to walk. "Few people I know have so brilliant an aura as you do now."

Horatio glanced at his arms as if half-expecting them to be glowing as he spoke.

"I witnessed your last martial arts final at your last school," Ozpin continued. "You overpowered that man with no effort despite their clear physical advantage over you. Though you did well to make it appear that the match was closer than it actually was."

Ozpin knew, Horatio exhaled sharply, he should have known someone as renowned as Professor Ozpin would see right through him. Damage control was his only option.

"I'm sorry sir," he started, standing up as straight as he could. "I did attain my semblance some time ago. But it's complicated, if even a single person knew how it works, how it TRULY works, then it could be countered and become useless. As long as no one knows how my semblance works or if I even have one no one can touch me sir. I can do so much more good that way, I….I just want to help people."

Ozpin looked into his eyes, analyzing every word. Gently he laid a hand on Horatio's shoulders, a smile spreading across his face.

"That is very noble young man, but semblances can be very dangerous if not trained properly. Too much usage, neglected usage or even one's emotional state can cause it to change or hurt you in unexpected ways. If we do not know what it is we cannot help to understand what can or cannot be done."

Horatio's mind was racing; he had worked so hard to keep his promise to his mother and keep the specifics of his semblance a secret since it unlocked years ago. If Professor Ozpin, or anyone found out, it was only a matter of time before at least someone else would hear…he could not allow that.

"Can I prove it to you sir? Show you that without an understanding of it that I can take any hit? That nothing can hurt me!"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow; Horatio hoped he had piqued his curiosity.

"Hit me as hard as you can sir."

"What?!" This came from the blonde woman who had been standing to the side the entire conversation.

"Hit me with any attack, any weapon, anything at your disposal sir. If I take even a single step backwards I will tell you everything you want to know and you can put it in my permanent record. But if I remain standing without any reaction I can leave the form blank. We can say my strength and resilience is due to my aura. I-is that ok?"

Professor Ozpin only turned and walked towards his window, staring out at the sky for several tense moments.

"If that is your wish." He replied with a sigh, forming a green orb of energy in his hand. "Ms. Goodwitch, please be ready with medical treatment if necessary."

With that final word, the green orb rocketed out of his hand impacting Horatio square in the chest before he could even take another breath.

Beacon Courtyard…

The explosion shook the area, causing everyone to jump and a dead silence to fall over the area.

"Unbelievable! This is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about!" The white-haired girl shouted at another soot-covered student from where it appears the explosion had originated.

Roland groaned loudly, he hadn't been too close when the girl's sneeze suddenly exploded but the shock had sent him flying into the nearby bushes. He didn't know what kind they were exactly, but they hurt.

"Are you ok?"

Roland looked up, the cutest girl he thought he had ever seen was leaning over him offering a hand to help him up. She had dirty blonde hair tied into a single short ponytail in the back and the biggest smile on her face. The fellow recent arrival seemed surprisingly strong when she pulled him to his feet with no effort.

"First time seeing a girl explode I take it?" She asked, clearly trying to contain a stifled laugh.

"Nah I have two sisters," he paused for a moment to see if she would find it funny though he could not tell if she was trying to contain her previous laugh or found his current attempt at wit funny. "They should really handle dust more delicately though."

Roland and his new acquaintance watched from a safe distance as the explodee cringed at the verbal beating she was receiving from the other girl. The source of the explosion was dressed in a red and black combat skirt with matching hair. She had no chance to counter as the snow white-attired young woman kept a finger pointed in her face, lecturing on the dangers of dust if worked with improperly. They dared not risk inching any closer lest they be pulled in.

"I am guessing you are a new student?" She finally asked as Roland brushed himself off, the arguing girls in the background seemed to be subsiding.

"I am, you too?" Roland asked, looking at the girl's chosen clothing.

She was dressed in brown and green camouflage fatigues with matching shorts completed by a pair of combat boots. The shoulders of her shirt were cut out, no doubt to allow a great range of motion with her arms. On her back was slung a unique similarly-colored Sniper Rifle with a few streaks of blue and silver almost as tall as she was. Roland would not have wanted to run into her in a dark alley.

The young man glanced down, now self-conscious of his own clothes. He was much more simply dressed with a bronze-colored vest over a simple gray t-shirt and blue jeans. He wore a pair of black leather gloves and around his neck he had an old necklace his father had given him of a cross surrounded by laurels. On his back sat an immense kite shield with a matching design. He hated to admit that the size of his bulwark was partially responsible for his tumble into the bushes.

"Pretty gutsy to be a huntsman with only a shield and no weapons," she chuckled. "Come on, the opening ceremony will be starting soon, my name is Olivia by the way."

"Roland," He replied with a smile as they turned towards the main building.

It was not long before they spotted the girl who had been on the receiving end of the previous explosion-related argument rushing to catch up to the line of arriving students; she was talking with a new guy….

"Jaune! Hey Jaune!" Roland shouted. He had met Jaune Arc on the airship over and the two had hit it off. They had been separated during the initial disembarking as the blonde knight fled to find a waste basket to be sick in, but his spirits lifted at seeing him again. The young man had mismatched armor and appeared to be quite awkward around new people, but Roland prided himself on his judgement of other people, Jaune was a good guy.

A loud scream erupted from Olivia at the sight of the girl he was walking with.

"I…..is that a customizable high impact sniper rifle like mine!?" She practically had stars in her eyes and somehow her smile had gotten even bigger.

Beacon Amphitheater…

Roland was relatively certain that Olivia knew the exact specifications of the explosion girl's weapon by the time they reached the Ceremony hall. Turns out her name was Ruby Rose and had named her weapon Crescent Rose quite fittingly based on her color scheme and silver brooch attached to her belt.

"I built my baby girl too," Olivia smiled, motioning to the rifle on her back. "It's just a rifle though without a name," she glanced downward, clearly disappointed she hadn't considered coming up with one. "I can't believe I didn't think of adding a melee component. Just picture it. "She spread her arms wide into the air as if conjuring an image of the picture in her mind. "Chainsaw sniper rifle."

"That…sounds…awesome!" Ruby shouted, causing all both of them to burst into laughter.

"Girls, am I right?" Jaune muttered to Roland under his breath.

"It's ok," he whispered back. "I never took much of an interest in exotic weaponry either."

Jaune glanced at the scabbard at his side. It contained his own weapon, a sword and only a sword.

"Go with what you know," Roland smiled, motioning at his own shield. "And you can't go wrong, do you see any open seats?"

"HEY!" Another girl with an impressive head of curly blonde hair stood up closer to the front waving her hands in their direction. She was absolutely beautiful; Roland had to ensure his jaw was not left behind on the floor behind as he beheld her.

"Ruby over here! I saved you a spot!"

"Oh, sorry guys, I gotta go! Maybe I'll see you all after the ceremony!"

With that she rushed off towards the sister, Roland glanced towards her and sighed as he realized she had only saved one seat.

"Let's find a spot quick before they fill up," Olivia glanced around the room before dragging Roland behind her, leaving Jaune standing confused in the door way. "Ezzy! She shouted to an auburn haired girl in the back row. The girl turned around, her look of confusion turning to a smile as she spotted them.

"Olivia! What are you doing here? I thought you were staying at Bastion another year."

"Change of plans! Sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you before you dropped off the grid! How did I not find you on the airship?" She turned to Roland and pulled the girl to her feet. "Ezzy this is Roland, just met off the ship here. Roland, this is Ezzy, well Esmerelda, but you can call her Ezzy for short. We studied together at Bastion Academy. She is wicked good with a sword."

"A pleasure to meet you," Roland shook her hand, trying to mask his surprise at the strong grip.

Is everyone at this school this strong?

The rapid sound of footsteps drew Roland's attention while Olivia and Ezzy continued talking. A young man practically threw himself into the room as the doors closed.

The newcomer had brown hair buzzed short; he was dressed in a thick deep blue trench coat that looked like something a military commander would wear. A thick leather vest could be seen beneath the coat, there was no weapon in sight. He had long black dress pants and boots, all of which were covered in a thin layer of soot similar to how Ruby had been earlier.

Was he been caught in the explosion as well? Roland surmised aside from his haggard breathing which led him to believe the man had been running for quite a ways further.

"Sorry," he gasped for air. "Got held up at the Headmaster's office, he didn't even offer a ride here. Did I miss the opening ceremony?"

"Held up?" Roland could not resist his gut reaction at humor. "I hope they didn't take your wallet." He quickly changed his tone upon realizing the narrowing eyes of annoyance. "No, they are still…"

As if on cue a bell rang through the hall, silencing the various conversations echoing throughout as a man with a cane approached the podium.

"I will keep this brief," Professor Ozpin began, heralding the beginning of a new year at Beacon Academy.

This was just the first short chapter introducing the new characters. I will continue as long as the ideas flow. Read and Review, but most of all Enjoy! :)